The town of Ely, located in the remote north woods of Minnesota, is adopting a creative approach to address the nationwide challenge of recruiting and retaining law enforcement officers: offering free canoes to new police officers.
A former mining and logging community renowned as the gateway to the popular Boundary Waters Canoe Area, Ely plans to provide free Kevlar canoes, valued at $3,800 each, to both new recruits and existing officers.
The lightweight canoes, made from the same durable synthetic fibers as bulletproof vests, are seen as an enticing way to encourage officers to explore the area’s pristine wilderness, which boasts over 1,000 lakes.
Ely Police Chief Chad Houde, who moved to Ely from the Twin Cities out of a love for the outdoors, recognized the need to stand out in the competitive field of law enforcement recruitment.
“We’re fighting for all these officers with other agencies,” Houde explained in an interview with the Star Tribune. “Other agencies are offering recruitment bonuses. How can we stand out differently than offering a $5,000 signing bonus? We have to look at what sells Ely, and that’s our area.”
The idea originated from Assistant Chief Mike Lorenz, who suggested leveraging Ely’s abundant outdoor recreation opportunities. He’s even offered to take new hires on a guided fishing trip.
The chief believes that the canoes provide a perfect way for officers to decompress after a difficult job.
“You can get done with a shift, maybe it was a stressful shift… The best way to decompress is to go out canoeing, hunting or fishing,” Houde told the Associated Press.
Law enforcement agencies nationwide have grappled with a shortage of officers, exacerbated by the dual challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and increased public scrutiny following the death of George Floyd. About half of Minnesota’s 400 law enforcement agencies have job openings posted on the state licensing board’s website right now. Minneapolis is contemplating offering hiring bonuses as high as $15,000 to address its depleted ranks.
Ely, with a population of around 3,200 people, faces similar recruitment challenges but with fewer resources. The police department consists of the chief, assistant chief, and five patrol officer positions, one of which is currently vacant and another will be opening up soon.
Houde highlighted the declining number of graduates from Minnesota’s college law enforcement programs, leading to dwindling applications for the Ely Police Department.
The city council approved a $30,000 proposal to fund the canoe incentive program, drawn from its share of a $300 million public safety assistance bill.
The department plans to purchase the canoes from local outfitters, some of whom are also offering discounts on camping and other equipment rentals for new officers. The package includes two paddles and two life jackets. However, the unique offer comes with a commitment — new recruits or current employees who accept the canoes must commit to staying for three years, or they will be required to repay a third of the canoe’s value for each year they leave early.
While Ely pays its officers a competitive starting salary of around $65,000, Houde acknowledges that the town cannot match the wages offered by larger cities.
However, the hope is that the canoe incentive, combined with the allure of Ely’s outdoor lifestyle, will attract and retain officers in a town often referred to as the
“Canoe Capital of the World.”
As Houde remarked to Minnesota Public Radio: “We needed a way to highlight our department and community and why officers should come work and live in Ely. We need a way to attract and retain officers by providing them a way to experience the outdoor lifestyle that Ely provides.”
Houde said he had only one application for the department’s previous open position, but since making the canoe offer public he had already received several inquiries from interested candidates.
In the competitive landscape of law enforcement recruitment, Ely’s innovative approach may well set a precedent for other agencies facing similar challenges.
